ANSI C18.

2M, Part 2-2007

Revision of
ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-1999

American National Standard

For Portable Rechargeable

Cells and Batteries
Safety Standard

Secretariat:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

May 31, 2007

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

Copyright 2007 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights including translation into other
languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention or the Protection of Literary
and Artistic Works, and the international and Pan American Copyright Conventions.
 ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007

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no circumstances give an interpretation of any American National Standard.
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Published by
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
1300 North 17th Street, Rosslyn, VA 22209

Copyright 2007 by National Electrical Manufacturers Association

All rights including translation into other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention,
the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan
American Copyright Conventions.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

DISCLAIMER

The standards or guidelines presented in a NEMA/ANSI standards publication are considered technically
sound at the time they are approved for publication. They are not a substitute for a product seller's or
user's own judgment with respect to the particular product referenced in the standard or guideline, and
NEMA does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual manufacturer's products by
virtue of this standard or guide. Thus, NEMA expressly disclaims any responsibility for damages arising
from the use, application, or reliance by others on the information contained in these standards or
guidelines.

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 ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007

Contents
Page

Foreword..........................................................................................................................................................v

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................1

2 Scope .................................................................................................................................................1

3 Normative references ........................................................................................................................1

4 Definitions ..........................................................................................................................................1

5 Requirements for safety ....................................................................................................................4

6 Lithium-ion systems...........................................................................................................................5

6.1 Sampling for type approval..........................................................................................................5

6.2 Acceptance criteria ......................................................................................................................8

6.3 Overview of tests and acceptance criteria (Table 2) ..................................................................9

6.4 Test procedures and compliance (verification)........................................................................ 10

7 Nickel systems................................................................................................................................ 21

7.1 Sampling for type approval....................................................................................................... 21

7.2 Test procedures and compliance (verification)........................................................................ 24

7.3 Pre-test dimensions, voltage, and insulation resistance test requirements............................ 24

7.4 Intended use simulation ........................................................................................................... 25

7.5 Reasonable foreseeable misuse ............................................................................................. 26

7.6 Design considerations .............................................................................................................. 32

8 Information for safety ...................................................................................................................... 34

9 Instructions for use ......................................................................................................................... 35

10 Marking ........................................................................................................................................... 36

Tables

1 Maximum mass loss ..........................................................................................................................8

2 Acceptance criteria lithium-ion systems.........................................................................................9

3 Acceptance criteria nickel systems ............................................................................................. 24

4 Vibration test sequence .................................................................................................................. 27

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ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007

5 Shock pulse .................................................................................................................................... 27

Figures

1 Small cell or battery gauge................................................................................................................3

2 Sampling for type approval lithium-ion systems ............................................................................6

3 Test E schematic ............................................................................................................................ 15

4 Sampling for type approval nickel systems................................................................................. 22

5 Circuit for external short-circuit test................................................................................................ 29

Annexes

A Guidance to device designers........................................................................................................ 37

B Guidelines for packaging, transport, and disposal ........................................................................ 39

C Bibliography .................................................................................................................................... 41

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 ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007

Foreword (This foreword is not part of American National Standard C18.2M, Part 2-2005.)
In 1912, a committee of the American Electrochemical Society recommended standard methods to be used
in testing dry cells. Their recommendations were followed five years later when the National Bureau of
Standards prepared specifications that included cell sizes, arrangement of cells within batteries, service
tests, and required performance.

The need for continued revision to the specification led to the authorization, by the American Engineering
Standards committee, of a permanent sectional committee on dry cells, now portable cells. This Committee,
C18, representing battery users, manufacturers, government agencies, and other interested parties have
remained active since that time.

In April 1996, the then ANSI Accredited Standards Committee C18 on Specifications for Dry Cells and
Batteries established a new general format for the publication of its standards, dividing the standard into two
parts. Part 1 of this American National Standard for Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries contains two
basic sections. The first section has general requirements and information, such as the scope, applicable
definitions, general descriptions of battery dimensions, terminal requirements, marking requirements,
general design conditions, test conditions, etc. Section 2 of Part 1 is comprised of specification sheets for
various types of cells and batteries. This Part 2 of the standard, a separate document, contains safety
requirements.

The ANSI Committee C18 on Portable Cells and Batteries completed what is in effect the first edition of this
specification on safety requirements in 1999 under the sponsorship of the National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA). This latest edition was issued to update the safety tests and keep them current with
the best possible practices. In particular, this latest edition considers and takes into account the United
Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These Model Regulations, adopted in
December 2000, include lithium battery test recommendations in the Manual of Tests and Criteria.
Additional consideration was also given to IEC 62281, Ed.1: Safety of primary and secondary lithium cells
and batteries during transport. The purpose of these considerations was to harmonize test procedures,
where appropriate, and prevent the proliferation of unnecessary or redundant tests. The latest edition
also separates lithium batteries from nickel-based batteries and eliminates lead acid batteries to better
reflect the realities of the current market. In doing so, the Committee recognized that there are some
different and unique requirements for rechargeable lithium batteries.

Suggestions for improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association, 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209, Attention: Secretary, ANSI
ASC C18.

This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by the Accredited Standards Committee
on Dry Cells and Batteries, C18. Committee approval of the standard does not necessarily imply that all
committee members voted for its approval. At the time it approved this standard, the C18 committee had the
following members:

Michael H. Babiak, Chairperson

James C. DeJager, ViceChairperson
Paul Orr, Secretary

Organization Represented: Name of Representative:

BAE Systems C. Richard Walk

Andrew J. Markow (Alt.)

Bureau Veritas, Consumer Products Services Thomas M. Heckmann

Consultant David Linden

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ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007

Consultant Albert Himy

Defense Logistics Agency John Thompson

Duracell Steven Wicelinski

S. Keel Kelly (Alt.)

Eastman Kodak Company James DeJager

Energizer Battery Manufacturing, Inc. Michael H. Babiak

Marc K. Boolish (Alt.)

International Imaging Industry Association James Peyton

Intertek Testing Services Terence J. OBeirne

Panasonic Battery Corporation Charles P. Monahan

Moltech Power Systems Ramesh V. Shah

Rayovac Corp. John Hadley

Denis Carpenter (Alt.)

U.S. Navy, Crane Division, Naval Surface James Gucinski

Warfare Center

Wilson Greatbatch Limited Heidi Reed

The members of Subcommittee C18-5 on Safety Standards who contributed to the development of this
standard are:

S. Keel Kelly, Chairperson

Ramesh Shah, Vice Chairperson
Paul Orr, Secretary

Michael Babiak Paul Krehl

Marc Boolish David Linden
James DeJager Andrew Markow
James Gucinski Charlie Monahan
John Hadley Terence OBeirne
Thomas M. Heckmann Steven Wicelinski
Albert Himy C. Richard Walk

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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI C18.2M, PART 2-2007

American National Standard

For Portable Rechargeable Cells
and BatteriesSafety Standard

1 Introduction
The concept of safety is closely related to safeguarding the integrity of people and property. This standard
defines performance requirements for portable, rechargeable cells and batteries to ensure their safe
operation under normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

Safety is a balance between freedom from risk of harm and other demands to be met by the product. There
can be no absolute safety. Even at the highest level of safety, the product can only be relatively safe. In this
respect, decision-making is based on risk evaluation and safety judgment.

As safety requirements will pose different challenges, it is impossible to provide a set of precise provisions
and recommendations that will apply in every case. However, this standard, when followed on a judicious
use when applicable basis, will provide reasonably consistent standards for safety.

2 Scope
This American National Standard specifies performance requirements for standardized portable lithium-ion,
nickel cadmium, and nickel metal hydride rechargeable cells and batteries to ensure their safe operation
under normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse, and includes information relevant to hazard
avoidance.

It is understood that consideration of this American National Standard might also be given to measuring
and/or ensuring the safety of non-standardized secondary batteries. In either case, no claim or warranty is
made that compliance or non-compliance with this American National Standard will fulfill or not fulfill any of
the users particular purposes or needs.

3 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
American National Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this American National Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below.

ANSI C18.2M, Part 1-2003, Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries-General and Specifications

IEC 60068-2-32, Environmental Testing, Part 2: Free fall

4 Definitions
For the purposes of this American National Standard, the following definitions apply.

4.1 battery: One or more cells, including case, terminals, and markings.

4.2 battery, button (coin): Small round battery, in which the overall height is less than the diameter.